The Hindu : Front Page : Case against Kanchi Acharya shifted to Pondy

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Thursday, Oct 27, 2005

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Case against Kanchi Acharya shifted to Pondy

J. Venkatesan

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the shifting of the Sankararaman murder case against the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, and others pending before the Principal Sessions Court, Chengalpattu, to the Principal District and Sessions Court, Pondicherry.

Allowing a petition filed by the Sankaracharya, a Bench, comprising Chief Justice R.C. Lahoti and Justice G.P. Mathur, said, "taking into consideration the entire facts and circumstances of the case and the material on record, we have no hesitation in holding that the petitioner and co-accused have a reasonable apprehension that they will not get justice in Tamil Nadu."

The Bench said: "Many facets of the case show that the State machinery in Tamil Nadu is not only taking an undue interest but is going to any extent in securing the conviction of the accused by any means and to stifle even publication of any article or expression of dissent in media or press, interview by journalists or persons who have held high positions in public life and are wholly unconnected with the criminal case."

The Bench, however, did not accept the contention advanced on behalf of the Sankaracharya that by making a statement in the Assembly, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa pre-empted a fair trial. It noted that the arrest of the petitioner generated a lot of publicity and in such circumstances no exception could be taken to the statement made by the Chief Minister on the floor of the House.

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